I was at this show. The Civic Center was a fantastic old-style large auditorium / basketball arena built in the late 1930's. About 12,000 capacity. The Beatles played there in September 64 and The Stones in October 65. A real stage with curtains, the Wall Of Sound extending up into the rafters of the stage. The sound at the show, of course, was FANTASTIC! Garcia in a red t-shirt. I attempted to record the show, but the tape was severely marred by technical issues. I was standing very near who I believe to be Jerry Moore, who was about 35-40 feet from the stage and set up on Garcia's side of the stage, rather than dead center. The crowd sensed from the first notes that this would be a special night. The 2nd set jam was the highlight, but the China / Rider in the first set was of the charts! Sadly, the Civic Center is no more, razed to make way for office buildings.

"I love a good audience tape, even a bad one with the right levels can still bring me home. But, honestly, this one just isn't very good,"

Hmmm, you have very high standards, I disagree in complete wholeness to your opinion of this recording. This is a great AUD and a very good listen. I enjoyed it from Promise Land to US Blues.

I used to live off of recordings like this before I figured out how to acquire soundboards. We should be very grateful that this exists and captures a show from such historical time. Try listening to 90% of the audience recordings of other bands during this era and see how they sound. The sound quality of the Cream REMASTERS are much worse than this. Fortunately people in this community are deAdicated enough to do what they can to improve the quality of the existing recordings. This sounds really great for an aud from this era, the instruments are balanced nicely and the recording is good enough for the music to flow through it....Love that post Truckin' jam, great China-Rider!

I definitely understand the desire to have a crisp, clear soundboard. If you are looking for the sbds from this run I can lend a hand. rwoneill1986@gmail.com

Years ago I had an Acid Test cassette with this jam out of Truckin' as filler. I never knew where it was from until now because it wasn't on the label. It was a soundboard and sounded great. You could actually hear the 'click' of Jerry's wah pedal when he turns it on at the beginning of the sequence. This is my favorite example the band's 'seat of pants' improvisation. It just keeps morphing every minute or two with all members focused and creative. A couple of nice meltdowns. Billy K laying down some killer grooves.
I don't think this audience recording is that bad. My ears seemed to adjust after a few minutes.

The Philly Civic Center is one of my favorite runs from 1974. Who could compare the incredible Playin' and Scarlet Begonias to any other versions? They are simply the best performances of those songs available, and the China>Rider is up there with those done in '72.

Unfortunately, thanks to the official chopped-up release of these shows (DP 31 which is now out of print and price gouged on eBay), the SBD recordings have been removed from the Archive, and we are left with this single AUD. Now, don't get me wrong, I love a good audience tape, even a bad one with the right levels can still bring me home.

But, honestly, this one just isn't very good, which is surprising when you consider who taped it.

Jerry Moore is a taper legend, I know, but back before the days of the taper's section and FOB, I'm sure even he got stuck in some bad seats. This tape sounds like it was recorded at some distance from the stage, and if that wasn't the case, than it must suffer from the ravages of time or something. It sounds tinny and very mono; this is strange for a Wall of Sound AUD. There is almost no instrument separation. I can't hear the nuances in Keith's wild Rhodes Piano playing that takes place during Scarlet and PITB. It just sounds harsh and displeasing. I just can't enjoy it. Sonically, there is a lot left to be desired here. Can you really say this is a good AUD? I can enjoy even some of the worst tapes recorded back in 1970, but this just doesn't cut it for me.

Regardless, I am still grateful to have access to the full show. Thanks Jerry.

5 stars for the performance
2 stars for sound quality

I've ever experienced. This is one of the top shows of '74 (the whole 8/4-8/6 run is really; buy Dick's Picks 31!) and one of my favorite jam sequences of their entire career. The range of playing and emotion is incredible...totally unique jazz/funk/wall melting space/mind fuck?!?! GD does it best.

Good show, the china/rider is about as close to heaven as your gonna get with out actually crossing over!


5 stars for content
3 generous stars for audio

I can't believe I'm so late in converting. Listen to this!

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"DP 31, Commercially Released"

Get it while you can get it while it's free, get it now or you'll be sorry.

The "Man" yanked the soundboard of this show off the Archive...bummer... It was on the IA for 4 years and then they took it off...wassupwitdat, huh?

A big thanks to Jerry Moore for recording this show and sharing it with us. He is a human being with love in his heart and thanks to Noel Weiner for putting it on etree.

The DEAD HEADS are the foundation of the whole GRATEFUL DEAD scene, the loving, caring, loyal fans. Where would the GRATEFUL DEAD be without them?

This show is 35 years old and they are still making us pay for it? GMAB...

Eat, Drink Be Merry, and Listen to the GRATEFUL DEAD.

Thanks for the Love, from Jerry Moore, in 1974.

PS: Damn Good Audience Recording...I am impressed.

I just heard about Archive's today and what a wonderful day it has been! Namaste' Archives AND Jerry Moore for the Time Machine that allowed me to feel 21yrs. old again(not even mentioning the chance to hear the SHOW AGAIN!!!)It was on this very night(08/05/1974)that I ran across the stage at the Philadelphia Civic Center,right after U.S. Blues and kissed Jerry Garcia in his right ear!!!!This is one of the most memorable days in my 55yrs. on this planet.Thank you for this heavenly music(it sounds awesome-I wish everyone out there could hear what I hear....), thank you from the deepest part of my soul. frani

Undertandably, we want to compliment the free availability of such prime-era Grateful Dead. Admittedly, I know zero about sound mixing/engineering. But I do want an inquiry as to why my ears partially reject this show. Is it too low? I don't know?!

Hilites abound of course - (though nothing near the first night's transcendent Weather Report Suite, Jam and Playin) Like any other head go to the meat of the second set for highest satisfaction rates. Investigations should continue during the following tunes - Me & Bobby, China Cat and Mississippi.

However, evey reviewer must subject themselves to the manna they're offered. There's something unfulfilling here. I'm going to go and properly eat now.

Wowzie WoWWOWWWWW! I JUST LOVE THIS STUFF. DON'T YOU?! FIRST REVIEW FROM ME SPIRALTEE SMILES ALL AROUND. THE BOYS ARE ON THIS NIGHT. PULLIN' OUT ALL THE STOPS ON SOME GREAT JAMS. LOVE THE CHINA>RIDER. PHIL AND NED ARE OUTTHERE,MAN! SEASTONES HAS NOW BEEN ADDED TO MY LIST OF MUST HAVES! MAYBE SOME OF YOU HAVE NEVER GOT THAT HIGH,NATCH OR UNNATCH, BUT WHADDA LONG,SFRANGE TRIP THAT STUFF IS,HUH?! FROM HE'S GONE TO ONE MORE THE BOYS ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE AND BACK FOR A COSMIC RIDE! WISH I HAD BEEN THERE TO EXPERIENCE THAT! THANK YOU JERRY MOORE FOR UNSELFISHLY SHARING YOUR WORLD WITH US,THE HUMBLE HUMBOLDT-MARIN COUNTY FEW. WISH I HAD A COPY OF YOUR MAXELL,BRO! FIVES ALL AROUND FOR THE SHOW AND THE AUDIENCE RECORDING. OUT OF VIETRAQ.NOW!!! LOVE WILL FIND A WAY PEACE- THE SPIRAL TEE HERE IN MISSOURI. SMILE,SMILE,SMILE! FIND ME @ mtyoung1S@SEMO.EDU

This is a very good Jerry Moore AUD of a very decent show. The China>Rider is wonderful and the Truckin'>Jam is excellent, exploring Other One themes and "screaming whales" feedback -- not quite a Dark Star moment, but almost. And don't miss the stage announcements: those matches and explosives sure are a drag!